POLITICO Tech

An anonymously run Instagram account known as “Dear White Staffers” has exploded in popularity, spilling tea and dragging longstanding workplace issues on the Hill into the light. It has also accelerated congressional staffers’ talk of unionizing. The problem? Well, it's complicated. Katherine Tully-McManus reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the pandemic began, Congress barred states from kicking people off Medicaid in exchange for additional federal funding, Enrollment surged nearly 20 percent over the next 16 months to 76.7 million, an all-time high. But state audits that will be triggered when the health crisis is declared "over" could lead to as many as 15 million people, including 6 million children, losing their health insurance. Megan Messerly reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An internal White House investigation recently concluded that President Joe Biden’s top science adviser, Eric Lander, bullied and demeaned his subordinates and violated the White House’s workplace policy. On Monday, Lander resigned. Reporter Alex Thompson — who had the original scoop — shares the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With trucks and protesters occupying streets around Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, Ottawa's mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency. The “Freedom Convoy” — a collection of semis and other large trucks — began as a rallying point for Canadians opposed to vaccine mandates. But it has snowballed into an increasingly organized fight against Covid-19 public health measures and Trudeau himself. Andy Blatchford reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russia now has an estimated 70% of the forces it needs for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in place, according to Biden administration officials. A group of bipartisan Senators continue to work on a sanctions bill, and Europe and the U.S. are on alert. Alex Ward reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China's human rights abuses — leading to diplomatic boycotts of the Beijing 2022 Games by the US, UK, Australia and more — have put athletes in a difficult spot. Phelim Kine reports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Tuesday, Pfizer and BioNTech announced they’re seeking authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for the first two doses of a planned three-dose Covid-19 vaccine regimen for children under 5 — the last age bracket remaining witout a Covid-19 vaccine. The agency said that it would convene its independent panel of vaccine experts on Feb. 15 to consider the data. While many welcomed the new development, some pediatricians raised concerns that the companies were moving too quickly. Lauren Gardner reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden delivered a massive economic stimulus that sparked historic job growth — but is also a factor in why inflation is the highest it's been since the 80s. Now, he’s counting on the Federal Reserve to come to the rescue as inflation eats up people’s paychecks and feeds anxiety about the future. Victoria Guida reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investigators for the Jan. 6 select committee have won a string of victories in court, obtaining testimony and records from Trump World. Now, they're preparing for their next battle, making those findings tangible — and understandable — to the public. Kyle Cheney reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement, setting off a flurry of anticipation about who his successor would be and how the confirmation process would play out. Josh Gerstein reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices